Republicans extend majorities in Alabama Legislature

The Alabama Legislature, already a deep shade of red, got even more crimson Tuesday evening.

The Associated Press projects the GOP added six seats in the Alabama House of Representatives, increasing their majority in the 105-member chamber from 66 seats to 72 seats. The GOP took four seats from Democrats, picked up a seat being held by a retiring independent and an open seat in eastern Montgomery County.

In the Senate, Republicans added at least two seats, increasing their majority from 23 seats to 25 seats. Democrats fell back from 11 seats to nine, while independent Harri Anne Smith, a former Republican, managed to win a second term as an independent senator.

The results continued a significant shift for political power in the state. As late as 2006, Democrats held 25 seats in the Alabama Senate and more than 60 seats in the House, though the party never enjoyed the unity of the current Republican majorities.

As of Tuesday morning, the Associated Press had not called a northwest Alabama Senate race between Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, an attorney and long-time veteran of the upper chamber, and Republican Dr. Larry Stutts, an OB/GYN. Stutts led by just 60 votes out of 35,000 cast.

Republicans picked up seats held by retiring Democrats. Voters in Senate District 1 in northern Alabama, won by Democrat Tammy Irons in 2010, gave 63 percent of the vote to Republican Dr. Tim Melson, an anesthesiologist. Senate District 22, held by Democrat Marc Keahey since 2009, went to Republican Greg Albritton with 67 percent of the vote.

Democrats' best hope of a pick-up seemed to be a Gadsden-area Senate district where former Sen. Larry Means of Attalla was seeking to return. However, incumbent Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, defeated Means 52 to 48 percent.

The Alabama House of Representatives on May 21, 2013.(Photo: Dave Martin/AP)

Despite being indicted last month on 23 charges of using public office for personal gain, House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, won 60 percent of the vote in his heavily Republican district. Hubbard has said he plans to run again for the speaker's chair. Republican Jim Carns of Birmingham has also said he will be a candidate. The House Republican Caucus is scheduled to meet Thursday.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, also won re-election by a comfortable margin, turning back Taylor Stewart, a well-financed Democrat.

Despite redistricting, Democrats maintained their advantage in the Montgomery House delegation. Incumbents Reps. Alvin Holmes and John Knight both won re-election easily. Kelvin Lawrence, whose sprawling district includes portions of Montgomery County, also won his House District 69 race last night, while longtime Rep. Thad McClammy of Montgomery ran unopposed.

The newly-elected lawmakers will have major challenges awaiting them when the Legislature returns for the 2015 session. The state's General Fund budget, which pays for most noneducation funding in the state, is projected to have a deficit of at least $200 million, due to escalating costs in the state's Medicaid and Corrections systems and lawmakers' unwillingness to add new taxes or revenue to the budget. The state's Corrections system is under investigation by the federal government, and lawmakers have expressed concerns that the overcrowding in the system could trigger a federal takeover.

"The problems are still there, as far as the General Fund budget," said Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, the chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund committee. "We've got a $200 to $300 million budget deficit we have to deal with next year. We have to have everyone sit down to put together a package to solve this deficit. I'm looking forward to hearing from newer members on what their ideas are."